Delicieux [CLOSED]

PLEASE NOTE: This venue has since CLOSED, but may be reopening elsewhere in the future.

I'm thrilled to say that Delicieux is one of the best places I've known to open in Bolton for YEARS! Standing where the former "Zest" once stood, Delicieux has really breathed new life into the place, the blank white outside now has strong pastel stripes down the side, and stylish new signage and decals.

Walking into Delicieux feels very different to when it was Zest. It's much more homely and the new soft furnishings, novelty cushions, and even blankets for those wishing to use them during winter months add a little comfort to what was previously quite a formal feeling and unwelcoming dining room. Solid wooden tables with a mix of chairs, armchairs and stools make it a place very easy to settle into comfortably with a pot of tea! It also has an outdoor seating area for warmer days, with a lovely view. It has one toilet, but it's modern, clean, and of a good enough size to be able to be used as a disabled toilet too.
It makes sense that it calls itself "deli and dining" as their deli section complete with both sweet and savoury offerings is well stocked and nice to see, as is their lovely local produce such as local jams, local butter, and local artisan breads are a wonder to behold, a real treat... but they also excel in both the "tea room" aspect, complete with its fantastic array of pastries, cakes and tarts, even offering some great afternoon teas, at a fraction of the cost of the places in the city centre, but with all of the quality, if not a little more; they're even looking into offering a "chocaholics afternoon tea" replacing tea with hot chocolate, and cakes with chocolates which look mind-blowingly like cakes! It must also be stated that the hot chocolate served at Delicieux is the best I've ever tasted, made with real melted chocolate! You should go there for that alone if anything! 

The juicy Delicieux burger

As well as the deli/tea room aspects, they also offer some truly great dining options with superb quality food and produce. They offer everything from a simple jam and toast, to a great big juicy Delicieux Burger! Their triple-cooked chips are some of the best I've ever tasted, especially with the "Mojo Mayo", a creation by the owner herself, who is often trying new things for the deli, baking fresh cakes, puddings, and daily specials, as well as offering special platters using the current deli offerings, so it's always nice to be asked which type of mayo you want from the three types they offer when you ask for some! When I went today she had freshly made some sticky toffee pudding pies... which frankly were so sublime they could make a grown man weep!

Their main gimmick is that they serve a fresh, home cooked, locally produced breakfast platter... and serve it at the table, in the pan! It works remarkably well, and is a superb breakfast! 

Don't even TRY to resist the cake counter!

The service at Delicieux is some of the best I've experienced in the entire country. The owner, Debbie, and her staff are friendly, engaging, and take a genuine interest in the customers. They give a really warm welcome, are incredibly professional, and manage to exceed expectations every time I've gone in! Today for example I wanted to try the sticky toffee pudding pie mentioned earlier, but instead of just giving it to me in a box to take away, she asked if I wanted to stay in, and said she could warm it up a little in the oven, and serve it with some clotted cream if I so wanted... I very much did! (Yum!) She brought it over herself, as she is very much a hands-on owner, happy to engage with the customers, work behind the counter, in the kitchen, and bringing the food out herself.

It should be noted that as it's become so popular, the parking outside the venue gets busy quite quickly, but there is also additional parking down a slope to the left of the deli itself, which is specifically for the deli's customers. The sign says "20 cars" parking down there, but I would suggest it's closer to 10 spaces. That really is the only thing I could criticise, and even then it's only because they're doing such tremendous trade that they're always so busy! However it should also be noted that they offer a fabulous "Grab and Go!" section immediately as you walk inside, so you can grab a sandwich and head out, or sit on one of the stools by the grab and go bar, and just have a quick salad and a brew before dashing off.

This is definitely an up and coming place here in Bolton, and they've obviously tried to do something different to other local establishments, and it works incredibly well.

They're open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, but even at 5:10pm when we were leaving, a customer walked in, and instead of the owner saying "sorry we're closed" etc, she put on her big smile and said "Hello there! What can I do for you?" . That's service, right there!

Delicieux is quickly becoming the place to be in Bolton, and certainly becoming my favourite haunt! Go now! I'll see you there!

Delicieux
889 Moss Bank Way
Smithills, Bolton
(01204) 492 300